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Eric Singer
Esinger.jpg
Singer in 2008
Background information
Birth name Eric Doyle Mensinger
Born (1958-05-12) May 12, 1958 (age 67)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s) Drummer
Instruments
  • Drums
  • vocals
  • piano
Years active 1984–present

Eric Singer (born Eric Doyle Mensinger on May 12, 1958) is a famous American drummer. He is best known for playing drums for the rock band Kiss. He was with Kiss on and off from 1991 until the band stopped touring in 2023.

Eric has also played with many other well-known artists. These include Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Lita Ford, and Brian May. He also has his own band called ESP. Eric Singer has played on more than 75 albums throughout his career.

Early Life and Musical Start

Black Sabbath (1986)
Singer (second from the right) with Black Sabbath in 1986.

Eric Singer was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 12, 1958. He grew up in Euclid, Ohio. He finished high school in 1976. His father, Johnny Mensinger, was a band leader who played music locally and on cruise ships.

Eric started playing drums when he was very young. He was inspired by famous bands like Humble Pie, the Who, and Led Zeppelin. He also looked up to drummers such as John Bonham and Cozy Powell. Before becoming a full-time drummer, Eric worked at King Musical Instruments.

Music Career Highlights

Eric Singer's first professional drumming job was with a band called Beau Coup in Cleveland. In 1984, he became the touring drummer for rock artist Lita Ford.

Joining Black Sabbath and Badlands

In 1985, Eric joined the legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath. He recorded and toured with them for their album Seventh Star. He later left Black Sabbath in 1987.

After leaving Black Sabbath, Eric toured with Gary Moore. Then, he joined a band called Badlands. He played on their first album. In 1989, Eric left Badlands to tour with Paul Stanley (from Kiss) on his solo tour.

Playing Drums for Kiss

Eric Singer au Hellfest 2019
Singer performing with Kiss in 2019.

In December 1991, Eric Singer officially became the drummer for Kiss. This happened after the sad death of their previous drummer, Eric Carr. Eric Singer had already played with Paul Stanley before, so he was a good fit.

He first played on the Kiss album Revenge. Eric toured with Kiss until 1996. At that time, the original Kiss members, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, rejoined the band for a reunion tour.

After a few years, Eric was asked to rejoin Kiss in 2001. This was after Peter Criss left the band. Eric wore the famous "Catman" makeup and costume for the first time on this tour. This caused some discussion among fans because Peter Criss had always used that look.

Eric was replaced by Peter Criss again in late 2002. But he returned to Kiss in early 2004. Since then, Eric Singer has been the permanent drummer for Kiss.

Eric Singer Tommy Thayer DLX-music helsinki
Eric Singer (right) with Tommy Thayer in 2008.

In 2009, Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer played on the Kiss album Sonic Boom. This was the first studio album with this new lineup. Eric sang on a song called "All for the Glory." In 2012, Kiss released their album Monster. Eric sang on the song "All for the Love of Rock & Roll" on this album.

Other Music Projects

When Eric Singer was not touring with Kiss, he often played with Alice Cooper. Eric has been a member of Alice Cooper's band since 2000. He has played on several of Alice Cooper's albums, including Brutal Planet and The Eyes of Alice Cooper. In 2008, Eric left Alice Cooper's band to focus more on his work with Kiss and his own band.

Eric also performs with his band called Eric Singer Project (ESP). This band includes his former Kiss bandmate Bruce Kulick. They have released a studio album called Lost and Spaced and live albums.

Eric has also played drums for the band Avantasia. He has appeared on several of their albums and EPs. Eric is also the drummer for Paul Stanley's side project, Soul Station. This band plays classic Motown and Soul music.

Drumming Equipment

EricSinger-AC
Eric Singer performing with Alice Cooper.

Eric Singer uses specific equipment for his drumming. He uses Pearl drums, hardware, and pedals. He also uses Remo and Terry Bozzio Attack drumheads. For cymbals and drumsticks, he uses Zildjian. Eric has his own special snare drum and drumsticks made by Pearl. Zildjian also makes "Eric Singer Artist Series" drumsticks.

Discography

Black Sabbath

Gary Moore

  • Wild Frontier Tour - Live at Isstadion Stockholm (VHS) (1987)

Drive

  • Characters In Time (1988)

Badlands

  • Badlands (1989)

Kiss

  • Revenge (1992)
  • Alive III (1993)
  • KISS Unplugged (1996)
  • Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions (1997)
  • Kiss Instant Live (2004)
  • Kiss Alive 35 (2008)
  • Sonic Boom (2009)
  • Kiss Sonic Boom Over Europe (2010)
  • Monster (2012)
  • KISS Rocks Vegas (2016)
  • Of The Soundboard Tokyo 2001 (2021)
  • Of The Soundboard Virginia Beach 2004 (2022)

Greg Chaisson

  • It's About Time (1994)

Stream

  • Nothing Is Sacred (1998)

Gilby Clarke

  • 99 Live (1999)

28IF

  • 28IF (1999)

Solo – Eric Singer Project

  • Lost and Spaced (1998)
  • ESP (1999)
  • Live in Japan (2006)
  • Live at the Marquee (DVD) (2006)

Alice Cooper

  • Brutal Planet (2000)
  • Brutally Live (DVD) (2001)
  • The Eyes of Alice Cooper (2003)
  • Live at Montreux (DVD) (2006)
  • Along Came a Spider (2008)

Avantasia

  • Lost in Space (Part 1) (2007)
  • Lost in Space (Part 2) (2007)
  • The Scarecrow (2008)
  • The Wicked Symphony (2010) (Only 3 tracks)
  • Angel of Babylon (2010) (Only 4 tracks)

Chris Catena

  • Freak Out! (2003)

Ronnie Montrose

  • 10x10 (2017)

Paul Stanley's Soul Station

  • Now & Then (2021)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Eric Singer para niños

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